Category: Mindful Living

Figuring out how to be more productive

Today I am writing about productivity 🙂  How can I be more productive with my time and be able to stay focused and achieve the things I want to do as well as all of the other items I manage as a mom.

Over the last number of weeks, I have been asking myself this question and working on finding a solution that suits me.  I find that procrastination can set in for me when I think there is too much to do; this can be immobilising and then the overwhelm starts to creep in and before you know it I’m not getting anywhere fast?!!

As a mom there is always a tonne of stuff to do, not to mention the stuff that just turns up unexpectedly and oftentimes I feel I don’t get enough quality time to dedicate to working on my projects and my Reiki practice so I’ve set myself a goal to try and be more productive and ease up on the overwhelm.

So for the past number of weeks, I have been doing the following:

1) Breaking it all down: On Sunday nights I’ve started preparing for the week ahead by writing down all the things I have to do and putting them into the following categories this avoids things becoming too much, for example, I ask myself the following:

  • What’s important and urgent this week? These are the items that I need to focus on first, note this can range across the board from household chores, food shopping, meal prep, work items, courses I am taking, holiday planning and family stuff etc.
  • What’s important but not so urgent yet? Whatever ends up here becomes the next set of items that I will work on?
  • What’s not really important and not that urgent and can probably wait?
  • What stuff on my list can be delegated? This mainly goes to my husband lol!

The idea of separating my massive to-do list into these categories (entitled the magic matrix) came from a book I was reading called ‘Project Me’ the author Kelly even has worksheets which you can download from her site (link below)

This new process has really helped me as now I’ve got my plan prioritised and I know what to focus on first. I’ve found that sometimes I need to break the overall task down even further into smaller chunks. Overall this has been a positive change and working well for me 🙂

2) Extending my workout: I’ve added in a 7-minute-high intensity workout (or minimum effective dose – after watching an interview with Vishen Lakhiani) to my morning routine to help me keep focused and also keep my energy high throughout the day. So now after I finish my yoga (with Adriene on YouTube) I follow it with my short workout.

3) Avoiding distractions: I’m trying to not look at my emails or any social media until later in the morning or sometimes well into lunchtime. This keeps me focused on ensuring I give myself time to exercise, eat right (make my green juice/smoothie) and have quality time with Issey before I tackle anything.

4) Staying mindful and enjoying what I am doing: I stay mindful of the task that I am working on giving it my full attention and also remembering to be kind to myself by ensuring I take regular breaks, sometimes I try and stretch myself and that is where the categories above come in. I review what is a priority. Also, I remember it’s important to enjoy what I am doing– remembering the Maya Angelou quote, ‘determine to live life with flair and laughter’ ;0

5) Sleep: I’ve set myself a bedtime goal of 10pm (all going well) note this doesn’t always happen but I generally make this happen at least 3 nights out of 7 which is good for me, as I used to be a night owl! I find on the nights where I do get to bed early the next day I really do feel the difference.

So, watch this space, I’ll let you know how my productivity is going and if this new system is working out for me.

Moms, I’m interested in hearing from you… do you find it hard to stay productive every day or have you found a system that works for you – I’d love you share with me.

Best wishes & love L X

Links:

Project Me

Vishen Lakhiani – Minimum Effective Dose

 

 

My sign for when I need a break

I was chatting with a friend recently about the importance of us moms taking breaks (it was the Easter holidays – 2 weeks of no school!) and making self care a priority. After our conversation I thought about the signs that show up for me when I am needing to have some time on my own and it reminded me of a funny saying that I often declare loudly for both Issey and Rok to hear ‘Mommy is going to do a Shirley Valentine soon’ to which I used to get puzzled stares until one day (actually recently enough) my husband asked ‘okay what is that…. and should I be worried?!’ Having had no clue what or who ‘Shirley Valentine’ is… (he’s from Slovenia and has never seen the movie).

For those who don’t know of Shirley Valentine it’s is a late 1980’s movie about a women who decides to leave England and head off to an Greek island (just leaving her husband a sticky note) and there she finds her joy again.

Realisation that I need some alone time

Although this saying to my husband is done in jest it’s also a realisation for me that when I am thinking about doing a ‘Shirley Valentine’ then it’s my cue that I need to spend some time alone.

For example, last October I overdid it a bit and really needed a break so I planned a 2 night trip on my own and took myself off to Galway (not as fancy as Greece!) where I had the most relaxing time and felt very proud of myself for going through with this (I’ve always wanted to go off for a weekend on my own but never had the courage to go through with it).

To be fair my husband literally pushed me out the door so I had his support 100%.

Was this an easy thing to do even with my husband’s support, heck no! I was racked with guilt especially the days leading up to it and kept trying to think of reasons why it wasn’t a good idea and that Issey and Rok wouldn’t survive without me to presenting the ‘bad mother’ card frequently ‘how could I leave my child for two nights and have some time on my own…’

However, when I got there I felt so good and the feelings dissipated.  You see, I used to be at the other end of the continuum where I would never really do anything for myself, always putting everyone else’s needs before my own and I learnt ‘self care’ the hard way, so I’m always aware of the signs now.  I don’t always get a night on my own,  but I’m getting better at making sure I take frequent time out and less ‘Shirley Valentine’ declarations ha!

My Self Care routine:

Daily it’s my meditation and/or my 10 minute yoga practice (love yoga with Adriene on YouTube) and on the weekends I will go for an early walk/run in the park by myself  whilst listening to music or a podcast. In the evening after Issey is in bed I read my book for an hour as I love reading and this is my time to enjoy with a cup of tea. Once a week I have an Epsom salt bath and relax for an hour and once a month I will try and either do a massage, a Reiki session, a facial or whatever  I feel  like doing that month.

I also take regular time out to catch up with others and will often go out for dinner with my girlfriends. Recently both Rok and I started having an afternoon lunch on our own  whilst Issey is happily hanging out with her older cousins (thanks cousins!).

All of the above help me feel myself, and also help me think more clearly. Ultimately I’m  a better human, mom, wife etc. I don’t always get it right however I try and follow through as much as possible.

So Moms, do you find yourselves like me ever wanting to do a ‘Shirley Valentine’… 😉 Do you know your signs that a break is warranted and do you ever feel guilty about doing this and stopping yourself from booking in that well needed time out? Or, have you got a great self care routine that works for you?

What’s your story… Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

Best wishes and love Lisa X

PS: I think I need to watch ‘Shirley Valentine’ again for old times sake ha!

Moms speaking their truth

Hello Moms!

This is my first blog post 🙂

I’ve decided to create this blog and post as often as I can on all the joys and challenges of being a mom?!!!

I’m also looking for a connection with other moms out there.  Perhaps we can help each other and offer support.

Having left my full-time role as a self-employed business analyst last year and now being home with my beautiful Issey all the time – I thought having this blog would be something that’s just for me.

My aim is to also set up a private Facebook group so we can post images, questions and provide a safe space for us all to connect.

I consider myself a multi-passionate mom, so that means I have lots of interests: besides trying to be the best mom to my daughter I also love learning about nutrition, essential oils and cooking especially anything related to plant-based meals, juices, and smoothies. I absolutely love reading (especially self-help books – particularly interested in the mind-body connection), meditating (nearly 4 years of practice now… ;0) yoga and practicing Reiki (delighted to become a practitioner last year). These are just some of my passions –  perhaps you’d like to share some of yours with me…

Love to hear from you…

Best wishes, Lisa X